Four years after the Department of Education (DepEd) put up farm schools in Western Visayas, almost 8,000 junior high schools have already developed an interest in farming.

This new breed of farmers is now enrolled in 31 farm schools in various school divisions in the region, DepEd Western Visayas regional director Ramir Uytico said on Wednesday.

These farm schools would help the region sustain food sufficiency in the long run.

“If we want to arrest, if we want to eradicate poverty and hunger, then support our farm schools,” Uytico said in an interview.

Dr. Elena Gonzaga, DepEd chief of the curriculum and learning management division, said they contextualized the subjects, focusing on fishery, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

Other regions have visited Western Visayas for learning and benchmarking activities.

The establishment of farm schools received over PHP106 million in support funds during its infancy.

This year, Uytico will try lobbying again, confident of support from their central office because of the noble purpose of the program.

Uytico said an integrated farm school in Roxas City started immersing its Grades IV to VI learners into the program to encourage them to enroll in their farm school.

In Iloilo City, the local government plans to establish hydroponics once the three-story 30-classroom building of the Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated Farm School is completed.

The first urban farm school in the country is focused on mushroom culture, but it is also engaged in vegetable gardening, Iloilo City Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Luz De los Reyes said in a separate interview.

The Jayobo Farm School in the municipality of Lambunao, Iloilo, meanwhile, teaches learners to grow native pigs, Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Ernesto Servillon Jr. said.

He added they are also looking at establishing a community talipapa so the learners can sell their produce.

“We are planning to establish a Jayobo Farm School community talipapa where the produce will be sold and income will be used for the operation, and part will also go to learners as their gain,” he said.

Uytico also encouraged hotels and restaurants to buy their materials from farm schools.

He said the farm schools will grow, and the people of Western Visayas can benefit from the program. (PNA)